Food is so much a part of Thanksgiving--what about having a special dish (or recipe) that you always make? Maybe something slightly off the typical or a variation thereof? I think that's one thing kids always hold onto--those special holiday dishes/recipes that they had every year.

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--Red"Pause you who read this and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, which would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day."

We run a charity race in the morning. The whole family, grandparents, kids, grandkids, spouses, and anyone who happens to be staying with us. Then we spend the rest of the day stuffing ourselves, talking, and playing board games.

We alternate right now between hosting ourselves for Southern Honey's family/my mom's family and going to my dad's family. Mostly us hosting involves lots of cooking and food and then some movies/board games. Dad's family is hanging out, talking, catching up and watching some football/basketball, interspersed with chow.

First, I love the idea of a meal to commemorate the Indians. We did this one year and it was so much fun (and not too difficult). We had venison and 3 kinds of corn pudding, and found some cool traditional items, as well.

Second, my DH's relative (not sure what to call her) has been spending Thanksgiving morning with her kids at a soup kitchen. They leave by 1 or so, which gives them plenty of time to finish cooking, but they really enjoy it.

Third...I've had "orphans" for Thanksgiving since I was a kid. Even in college, we'd put together orphan dinners and anyone who didn't have plans was invited. It's important to extend the invite that way - as part of your plans or tradition - rather than make someone feel like they're an oddity of some sort. Thanksgiving is always tricky because of the timing and not everyone can do 2 major holidays in a month.

Food is so much a part of Thanksgiving--what about having a special dish (or recipe) that you always make? Maybe something slightly off the typical or a variation thereof? I think that's one thing kids always hold onto--those special holiday dishes/recipes that they had every year.

We always have scalloped onions!! Very little get eaten but it's not Thanksgiving without them. My nanna made them every Thanksgiving.

Food is so much a part of Thanksgiving--what about having a special dish (or recipe) that you always make? Maybe something slightly off the typical or a variation thereof? I think that's one thing kids always hold onto--those special holiday dishes/recipes that they had every year.

We have a set array of snacks that we eat before dinner, and it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without them.

It is an odd tradition, but it never gets missed in our family. It is used for any 'feasting' holiday.

Someone brings a relish tray. It consists of olives, pickles and (sometimes) celery with cheese. There are always canned black olives. I know-no flavor, horrible, etc. But my sister and I gobble them up while teaching any smaller/new kids how to wear them on your fingers and eat them. These days my nephews also help teach the younger ones how to do this. The entire can gets eaten before the meal. Whoever is fixing the meal is supposed to gripe about 'bottomless pits' and 'there won't be any left for dinner' and, of course, 'get out of my kitchen you ravenous beasts.' Magically, another can appears and is opened right before the meal so that the relish tray is once again complete. :>

No-one really loves the black olives. But it is a tradition and has been since we were kids...my uncle taught me to snitch olives and wear them on my fingers before eating them when I was little. He taught his daughter and my sister too. We refuse to give it up, even if it is childish and weird and even if we really prefer better quality olives these days.

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Lynn

"Anyone who considers protocol unimportant has never dealt with a cat." Robert A. Heinlein

It is an odd tradition, but it never gets missed in our family. It is used for any 'feasting' holiday.

Someone brings a relish tray. It consists of olives, pickles and (sometimes) celery with cheese. There are always canned black olives. I know-no flavor, horrible, etc. But my sister and I gobble them up while teaching any smaller/new kids how to wear them on your fingers and eat them. These days my nephews also help teach the younger ones how to do this. The entire can gets eaten before the meal. Whoever is fixing the meal is supposed to gripe about 'bottomless pits' and 'there won't be any left for dinner' and, of course, 'get out of my kitchen you ravenous beasts.' Magically, another can appears and is opened right before the meal so that the relish tray is once again complete. :>

No-one really loves the black olives. But it is a tradition and has been since we were kids...my uncle taught me to snitch olives and wear them on my fingers before eating them when I was little. He taught his daughter and my sister too. We refuse to give it up, even if it is childish and weird and even if we really prefer better quality olives these days.

My family does this too! Always accompanied by someone who previously got yelled at for snitching olives telling on the next that is doing it. It's funny, cause, like you said... no one really LOVES them or anything, but we just cannot resist!

Two years ago my whole family (Gram and Granpa too!) played Wii after dinner, which was great to lose that bloated too-full feeling and it was a lot of fun!!

Last year was a Rock Band marathon accompanied by after dinner matgaritas. That went on into wee hours... I think followed by watching "Slapsgiving" episodes from my Big Bros computer

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Once in a while you get your delight, in the strangest of faces if you look at it right...